Teaching Methods
- Traditional Classroom
- Homeschooled students are taught in the same manner they would experience within a public school, with set times for each subject, lecture periods, assignments given, grades assessed, etc.
- Unschooling
- Unschooling is child-led learning. Unschoolers believe that children have an innate love of learning which is best encouraged through the child's own efforts. Unschooling also works on the belief that all of life and living provides learning opportunities. This means that unschooled children can learn from activities as diverse as grocery shopping, to making mudpies, or reading books. Reading is also largely utilized in unschooling.
- Unit Study
- Unit study is an integrated approach to learning. Unit study becomes an in-depth study that integrates many disciplines, such as science, math, geography, art, music, history, language, literature, movement, etc.
- Charlotte Mason Method
- Charlotte Mason Method is the ultimate unit study, combining multiple disciplines into subject areas learned. Charlotte Mason practices include narration, copywork, nature notebooks, fine arts, languages, and a literature-based curriculum.
- Classical Education
- Classical Education believes that education goes beyond teaching subject matter to students. Skills of independent learning, critical thinking and logical analysis are also incorporated. Discipline and challenge is also included in classical education.
- Waldorf Education
- Waldorf education de-emphasizes academics in the early school years, utilizing artistic mediums to introduce and teach subjects. As the children mature, academics are introduced to the students. Waldorf also encourages a broad range of subjects which provide a well-rounded education which builds on itself each year. This philosophy also includes creating a genuine love of learning, and creative thinking in children.
- Eclectic Method
- Eclectic education grasps the best of all possible teaching methods. Many eclectic homeschoolers find that they like certain portions of a teaching method, so they adopt it for themselves. Eclectic education offers a great deal of flexibility in teaching.
Curriculum Options:
- Do-It-Yourself
- The "Do-It-Yourself" curriculum method is comparable to "Eclectic" education. Materials will be put together from a variety of sources, including internet, commercial curriculum suppliers, library, bookstores, homeschool support groups, homemade, and other sources.
- Curriculum Package Suppliers
- Curriculum package suppliers provide scope and sequence, books, handouts, tests, and all materials required for homeschooling. These companies are usually "for-profit" and their materials can also be purchased separately. These companies will also offer support for homeschoolers. Some popular curriculum package suppliers:
- Curriculum Supply Companies
- There are numerous curriculum supply companies which provide myriad choices of books, expendable worksheets, craft supplies, science materials, and much more. Whatever a homeschooler might need can be found through these suppliers. Some curriculum supply companies:
- Umbrella Schools
- Umbrella curriculums are accredited organizations that allow parents to school their children at home, but oversee the materials, paperwork, testing, grades, etc. These programs are popular particularly in states that have stringent requirements for homeschoolers, or who do not allow diplomas to be given for homeschooled children, because the umbrella school handles all the paper work, grades, and diplomas. The term "umbrella" stems from the fact that these schools offer shelter from legal requirements to homeschoolers. They also provide other services such as school photos, support group, field trips, etc.
- Online Charter and Online Schools
- Online charter schools are growing in popularity, especially among homeschool families. These charter schools often offer a choice between selected classes, and full course support. Since charter schools are affiliated with school districts, charter school students are considered to be public school students, either part-time of full-time. As a public school student, the charter school is responsible for records, grades, teaching, paperwork, etc.
